Specific warm-up exercise is the best for vertical countermovement jump in young volleyball players

Fernando Nazário de Rezende,Mário A. M. Simim,Charles Ricardo Lopes,Moacir Marocolo,Bruno Victor C. da Silva,Gustavo Ribeiro da Mota

doi:10.1590/s1980-6574201600040013

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of performing various distinct warm-up exercises on vertical countermovement jump (VCMJ) performance. Eight volleyball players (age 15.4 ± 0.5 yrs) performed five different warm-up activities (in a counterbalanced, randomized crossover study) over five days, at 24-h intervals: stretching (4 × 30 s, 30 s between sets), cycloergometer (5 min at 50 W + 5 min at 100 W), resistance exercise (leg press 45°, 3 × 5 repetitions maximum, 3-min pause between sets), specific vertical jumping (4 × 10 VCMJ, 2-min pause between sets), and no warm-up at all (control condition). Beginning 3 min after their warm-up, the players performed 3 attempts (at intervals of 3 min) of VCMJ (on a contact carpet), and each player's best jump was considered in the analysis. All warm-up activities presented higher VCMJ performance (p< 0.05) than the control condition, with the exception of stretching. Vertical jumping revealed a large effect size(0.8) than other interventions. We conclude that in practical terms, vertical jumps are the best warm-up exercise (when applied by itself) to acutely improve VCMJ performance in volleyball players, but that other exercises can make a complementary contribution.

Highlights

Vertical countermovement jumps (VCMJs) are considered essential to success in volleyball, as they are used in both defensive and offensive motions[1,2] vertical countermovement jump (VCMJ) are performed frequently by volleyball players during training and competitions, and several studies have focused on how athletes can enable themselves to jump most effectively[3,4] Volleyball players must jump frequently in matches, making good jumping technique crucial
Most studies about post-activation potentiation have used VCMJs because studying this movement can detect variations in lower limb performance and because these jumps are important in several sports such as volleyball[7]
Vertical jump warm-up led to the highest VCMJ performance (12% greater than control, p < 0.01, effect size 0.8), followed by bicycling (7% greater, p = 0.049, effect size 0.5) and resistance exercise (6% greater, p = 0.031, effect size 0.4)

Summary

Introduction

Vertical countermovement jumps (VCMJs) are considered essential to success in volleyball, as they are used in both defensive (blocking) and offensive (attacking, passing, and serving) motions[1,2] VCMJs are performed frequently by volleyball players during training and competitions, and several studies have focused on how athletes can enable themselves to jump most effectively[3,4] Volleyball players must jump frequently in matches, making good jumping technique crucial. The importance of VCMJs in volleyball makes understanding the factors that influence jumping ability essential. Limiting factors such as flexibility in the joints involved in jumping movements, the strength and muscle power of athletes (e.g., maximal force, maximal velocity, and stretch-shortening cycle utilization), and specific techniques seem to be reasonable variables to consider. Most studies about post-activation potentiation have used VCMJs because studying this movement can detect variations in lower limb performance (i.e., muscle power, strength) and because these jumps are important in several sports such as volleyball[7]

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Conclusion